BSA Tools Ltd rises from the ashes

BSA Tools Ltd, an iconic British brand synonymous with Midlands engineering excellence around the world, is once again turning a profit and creating new jobs since being bought out of administration.

Traditionally famous for producing single and multi-spindle automatic and CNC lathes, the business has created up to 15 jobs at its former Kitts Green manufacturing site, in Birmingham, where it is focussed on training, new machine sales, repairs and servicing, along with maintenance of a wide range of tooling machines which still operate across the world.

Once linked to the famous small arms and motorcycle marque, BSA Tools Ltd has been rescued by businessman Paul Eyles with a view to restoring the iconic brand to its former glory.“Britain, and the Midlands in particular, is famous for its manufacturing and engineering prowess which was the envy of the world,” said Paul.

“Unfortunately, it lost its way in the latter part of the twentieth century through lack of investment, but the quality of the machines is testament to that historical excellence because they are still used by major automotive and aviation brands all over the globe.”

Such has been the success of the relaunch that former BSA employees have been tempted to re-join the business and share their experience with the new generation of engineers.

Robin Cray, who first joined the business in 1969, is now training the new intake of BSA apprentices. He said: “We want to bring quality British engineering back and helping these youngsters learn on the job is what it is all about. I still get excited today about repairing these machines and seeing something performing better.”

BSA’s business development manager Emily Eyles, 24, added: “We want to further increase our workforce and pass on knowledge because there is such demand for the quality that is synonymous with the BSA brand.

“Our engineers are working on these machines all over the world. They are also used in the UK for training, which chimes with the Government’s announcement of £170 million investment twelve 12 technology training centres across the UK.”

An acronym of Birmingham Small Arms, the BSA name stretches back hundreds of years to the city’s Gun Quarter, which was recently immortalised on the small screen in the hit BBC drama Peaky Blinders.

BSA, which employed thousands of workers in its heyday, was also once the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer, owning brands including Triumph and Daimler.

“BSA Tooling Technology remained as a business until we bought it out of administration,” said Emily (pictured above). “We had three workers then, but now there are 15 of us, with ambitions to expand further to meet demand.

“We have taken on apprenticeships as well as we’re committed to investing in the future and encouraging young people into making things once again. This is the start of what will be an engineering renaissance,” she added.